February 6, 2013 8:31 am

South Sound is getting something its needed – a German themed pub. Veltins Bierhalle is planned for a summer 2013 opening in Tacoma’s brewery district.

The building housing the new restaurant – where Neener’s formerly operated at 2401 Pacific Ave. – has been vacant for seven years. Owners Dennis and Lydia Mascarinas plan an extensive remodel of the 3,500 square foot space. “It’s going to be a nice space. It’s a beautiful building, the windows are boarded up now. It’s got the second story,” said owner Lydia Mascarinas by phone. She added, “It’s got a side business, which we’ll use as a separate business.” She was referencing the next door building that until January housed American Motorcycles. The Mascarinas are not yet sure what the future holds for the neighboring space. “We don’t have any definitive plans as of yet. We’re going to concentrate on opening the Bierhalle,” she said.

The Mascarinas also operate a German restaurant in Renton called The Berliner Pub. Veltins will be similarly styled – a destination for the beer, food and music of Germany. Mascarinas described a dining room with Bavarian style communal tables and a German-American menu. “We have something for all tastes. It’s going to be a family-oriented place – families are welcome,” she said. Expect live music a few times a month.

Short of Bruno’s European Restaurant in Parkland (see related story below) and Hess Deli in Lakewood, German dining is scarce around the South Sound region. The menu at Veltins will be pub fare with a German theme – brats, landjaeger, schnitzel, pretzels and other house-made specialties. Mascarinas said the menu won’t delve into more complicated German cuisine, such as rouladen or sauerbraten (but you can head to Bruno’s for that).

At Veltins, expect a beer selection unlike anything Tacoma has now – a tap list will have only German beers (yes, you read that correctly, only German beer). Like sister pub The Berliner, Veltins will list big name brewers – Veltins, Hofbrau and Maisel’s – but also lesser known beers. “We also work with small brewers in Germany to bring out beers nobody in America has,” said Lydia. The Berliner has 20 German beers on tap. They’re still deciding how many taps to offer in Tacoma.

Mascarinas said the Seattle couple’s Berliner Pub followed a similar trajectory as Veltins – the Mascarinas bought a dilapidated building two years ago and turned it into a family-friendly destination with occasional live German music.

Bruno’s European Restaurant in Parkland to be on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

The potato pancakes pictured here from Bruno’s were served at last year’s Oktoberfest Northwest. You can get them at the restaurant in Parkland, too.

Speaking of Bruno’s in Parkland -the German and European eatery will be featured in an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on Feb. 25. Read more about the “Eurocentric” episode here. Now might be a good time to eat at the restaurant before the DDD groupies invade.

If you visit Bruno’s – here’s what to order: Potato pancakes ($7.95), hangover soup ($3.50) and any of the schnitzel plates ($12.95-$14.75). It’s also one of few restaurants locally with cabbage rolls ($9.50). If given the choice for sides, stick with spaetzle noodles, German potato salad or the outstanding dumplings.

The restaurant has daily specials and is bargain priced at lunch – sandwiches and smaller entrees are in the $7-$9 range. Dinner entrees are around $11-$14. Find Bruno’s at 10716 A Street S., Tacoma (in Parkland, near 108th Street South and Pacific Avenue South, near Frugal’s). 253-719-7181. Here’s a link to a blog post telling the story of how owners Bruno and Krystyna Tomaszewska moved from a four-table restaurant in Lakewood to their current Parkland eatery. Here’s my first review of Bruno’s in April 2010, when they were in Parkland.